text: Wet agglomeration is a process that introduces a liquid binder to develop adhesion forces between the dry particles to be agglomerated.  Mixing disperses the liquid over the particles evenly and promotes growth of the aggregate to the desired size. A final drying step is required to stabilize the agglomerates.
  In all wet agglomeration methods, the first step is wetting the particles.  This initiates adhesion forces between the particles.  The next step, nucleation, is the process by which the native particles come together and are held with liquid bridges and capillary forces.  Then, through coalescence or the growth phase, these small groups of particles come together to create larger particles until the particles are the desired size.  Consolidation occurs as the agglomerates increase in density and strength through drying and collisions with other particles.  Mixing as the powder dries also causes some particles to break and erode, creating smaller particles and fines. To achieve the correct particle size, erosion and growth must be balanced. The last step in wet agglomeration is the final stabilization through drying.  The agglomerated particles are dried to less than 5% water content, and cooled to below their glass transition temperature.
  Wet agglomeration falls into two categories based on method of agitation: Mechanical mixing and pneumatic mixing.